Handle apparatus with cantilevered handle grip for luggage case

ABSTRACT

A wheeled luggage case ( 1 ) has a single telescoping handle arm assembly ( 10 ) and a cantilevered handle grip ( 11 ) which is rotatably attached to the top end ( 13 ) of the handle arm assembly, such that the plane of rotation of the grip is approximately parallel to the rolling direction of the luggage case. The cantilevered handle grip ( 11 ) rotates from a position approximately perpendicular to the telescoping handle arm assembly ( 10 ) to a position approximately 30° below the horizontal, and a resilient element is provided which urges the grip to rotate downwardly while in use. The invention provides an ergonomically comfortable wheeled luggage case by allowing the user to grasp the grip in a natural position and, simultaneously, increasing the amount of leverage available to prevent the luggage case from tipping over when it is rolled over uneven ground. Further, the resilient element distributes the weight of the luggage case evenly across the user&#39;s hand.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of rollable luggagecases and to other types of cases.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Most current wheeled luggage systems use a similar design consisting oftwo telescoping tubes or arms attached to the back side of the luggagecompartment and a handle grip connected across the top of the tubes toform an upside-down “U” shaped steering handle. Two wheels are usuallyprovided on opposite sides of the bottom back side of the luggagecompartment. In operation a user extends the telescoping tubes out ofthe luggage compartment by pulling upward on the handle grip, tilts theluggage to a comfortable and stable position, and rolls the luggagealong its wheels. When the user stops moving, the luggage may be tiltedupright on its bottom end, by normally resting the luggage on a “bottomstud” adjacent to the wheels. This type of rollable luggage has becomeknown as “Uprights,” “Trolley Cases,” or “Vertical Pullmans.” Prior tothis design, luggage was generally wheeled by placing it on a separaterolling luggage cart. The carts were normally made of tubular metal,having wheels and a “U” shaped telescoping steering handle which couldbe collapsed into an outer tube, when not in use. The uprights inpopular use today were developed by essentially integrating the luggagecart into the luggage compartment.

Although the “U” shaped or double-tube design used in current luggagecases is primarily a legacy of the collapsible luggage carts, theredundant design does not appear to be a functional necessity. Recently,single tube designs have been introduced. For example, in U.S. Pat. No.5,943,936, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,254 B1, both patents show a singlesteering handle design which retracts into and extends out of an outertube or portion of the luggage compartment. Each of these designsdiscloses a handle grip, which is either integral to the handle arm, asin the 6,202,254 B1 patent, or is rigidly attached to the handle arm, asin the 6,202,254 B1 patent. Each design also orients the handle gripsuch that its horizontal grip portion is perpendicular to the directionthe luggage is rolled. These grip designs present several problems forthe user.

One problem is that in order for a user to grasp the grip handle, theuser must rotate or twist his or her arm approximately 90° from thearm's natural position, hanging at the user's side. This twisting motionputs a certain amount of strain on the user's wrist, elbow, and shoulderjoint, and can cause discomfort when pulling heavy loads or loads over along distance.

Another problem is that all rolling luggage systems have a tendency totip over when the luggage is rolled over uneven ground. Unfortunately,current handle grip designs which place the user's hand and arm in anunnatural twisted position, actually exacerbate the tipping problembecause a person's arm has less strength in an unnatural position. Thus,the luggage is more likely to tip over.

Tipping also causes another problem. If the user cannot efficientlycounteract the tipping motion while the luggage is being rolled, theluggage may be dragged, rather than rolled, causing excessive wear to anoutside portion of the wheel. This unwanted action causes the wheel todevelop a flat spot, which will eventually require that it be replaced.It is generally known that wheel replacement or repair is a commonmaintenance expense in the use of wheeled luggage.

One recent design that attempts to orient the grip in the direction oftravel is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,118. This patent, however,discloses a method for converting a “U” shaped handle system to a singlegrip system, by providing a handle apparatus that is a separateattachment. Unfortunately, since the handle is not integral with thepreexisting “U” shaped handle, the design introduces a substantialinstability problem which contributes to the wheel damage describedabove. The add-on handle is also not easy to use, and prone to beinglost or damaged.

The present invention overcomes these disadvantages in current wheeledluggage by allowing the user to grasp the luggage handle grip in anatural and ergonomically comfortable position, and at the same time,increases the amount of leverage available to the user when the luggageis rolling over uneven ground or is otherwise tipped. These and otheradvantages are more fully described in connection with the followingsummary and detailed description of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a wheeled luggage case which includesa luggage frame, two wheels in axial alignment attached to alongitudinal bottom edge portion of the frame, and a handle systemhaving a single telescoping handle arm assembly, including an integralcantilevered handle grip. A luggage case compartment generally surroundsand is attached to the luggage frame. The telescoping handle armassembly has an outer tubular member, and a first inner tubular memberwhich is slideably positioned within the outer member. A second innertubular member is similarly slideably disposed within the first innertubular member. In a retracted position, the first and second innertubular members are substantially disposed within the outer tubularmember, and in a fully extended position the first inner tubular memberis extended substantially outside of the outer tubular member and thesecond inner tubular member is extended substantially outside of thefirst inner tubular member.

The present invention's cantilevered handle grip system has a front gripend and a back grip end, with its back grip end rotatably attached tothe top end of the second tubular member by means of a hinge, whichenables the handle grip to rotate in a single vertical plane, which iscoextensive with the handle arm assembly and approximately parallel tothe wheeled direction of the wheeled luggage case.

The handle system, including the telescoping handle arm assembly andcantilevered handle grip, is attached to the luggage frame such that thehandle grip is perpendicular to the axis of each of the two wheels, andis generally parallel to the vertical plane of rotation of each wheel.When the handle arm assembly is extended, the front grip end of thehandle grip extends over the upright end of the luggage case. And, whenthe handle arm assembly is retracted, the handle grip's front grip endis releaseably locked into a portion of the frame. In its lockedposition, the handle grip can be used as a luggage case handle to carryor lift the luggage.

Orienting the cantilevered grip handle in the direction of travelenables the user to grasp the handle in a more ergonomically compatiblemanner, without any excessive twisting of the wrist, elbow and shoulderjoints. This more natural position allows the user's arm to swing freelyand comfortably while pulling the luggage case. From this position, thearm is also stronger since it is not using any unnecessary energy tohold the wrist, elbow and shoulder joints in twisted positions. Sincethe arm is in a stronger and more natural position, it can more easilyprevent the luggage case from tipping over.

The hinge, which attaches the cantilevered handle grip's back grip endto the top of the second inner tubular member, is constructed such thatit only permits the handle grip to rotate in an arc of approximately 30°below the horizontal. This range of motion is ergonomically designed toallow the user's hand and wrist to remain comfortably aligned with theforearm, while pulling the luggage with the arm swinging back-and-forthat his or her side.

Another ergonomic feature of the invention is that the cantileveredhandle grip is attached to the handle arm such that a slight resilientforce is applied to the hinge, causing the grip to rotate or hinge in adownward direction, while the luggage case is being pulled. This forceacts to distribute the weight of the luggage uniformly across thefingers and palm of the user's hand. In this manner, a concentration ofthe luggage case's weight at the front of the hand is minimized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a wheeled luggage case with ahandle assembly, including a telescoping handle arm assembly and acantilevered handle grip, in an extended position.

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the wheeled luggage case with thehandle assembly in a retracted position and the cantilevered handle griplocked into a portion of the luggage frame.

FIG. 3 is the same front perspective view of the wheeled luggage case asshown in FIG. 1 with the luggage case compartment shown in dashed linesin order to reveal the inner luggage frame.

FIG. 4 is the same back perspective view of the wheeled luggage case asshown in FIG. 2 with the luggage case compartment shown in dashed linesin order to reveal the luggage frame.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the handle assembly with the telescoping handlearm assembly extended.

FIG. 6 a is a side view of the cantilevered handle grip in its rotatedor up position.

FIG. 6 b is a side view of the cantilevered handle grip in its relaxedor down position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally described in connection with FIGS. 1,2 and 3. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a wheeled luggage case1 which is tipped up on a bottom end 2 and is resting in a verticalposition on a pair of bottom studs 3 and on a pair of wheels 4, whichare adjacent to the bottom studs 3. The axle of each wheel 4, is inaxial alignment with the other wheel, and each wheel and itscorresponding axle is rotatably mounted to a luggage frame 16. A luggagecompartment 6 is disposed around and attached to the luggage frame 16. Ahandle assembly 7 extends through a handle grip cradle 8 disposed withinan upright end 9 of the luggage case 1. The handle assembly 7 includes asingle telescoping handle arm assembly 10, which is depicted in itsextended position. The handle assembly also contains an integralcantilevered handle grip 11 which is connected at a back grip end 12 toa top end 13 of the telescoping handle arm assembly 10 by means of ahinge assembly 14. The hinge 14 limits the rotation of the handle grip11 to a vertical plane which is coextensive with the handle arm assembly10 and generally parallel to the vertical plane of rotation of eachwheel. A front grip end 15 extends away from the handle arm assembly 10and across the upright end 9 of the luggage case 1.

FIG. 2 presents a perspective view of the luggage case 1 illustratingthe handle assembly 7 in a retracted position, the cantilevered handlegrip 11 disposed within the grip cradle 8, and the handle grip's frontgrip end 15 is releasably locked into the cradle 8. In this position,the handle grip 11 can be used as a normal luggage handle to carry theluggage case 1. The top portion of the handle grip 11 is flush with theupright end 9 of the luggage case 1 which prevents the handle grip 11from being damaged. A release button 5 is also conveniently disposed onthe top portion of the cantilevered handle grip 11 adjacent to the backgrip end 12. This location permits the user to easily release the handlegrip 11 from its locked position within the handle grip cradle 8 bygrasping the handle grip 11 and using the thumb to press the releasebutton 5 down. The user then pulls up on the handle grip 11 in order toextend the telescoping handle arm assembly 10.

FIG. 3 presents a “see through” perspective illustration of the luggagecase 1 as shown in FIG. 1 with the luggage compartment 6 shown in dashedlines so as to reveal the luggage frame 16, and a more complete view ofthe telescoping handle arm assembly 10 in its extended position. Theluggage frame 16 consists of a bottom tray 17 and a top tray 18, whichrespectively provide structural support to the bottom end 2 and uprightend 9 of the luggage case 1. The two trays are rigidly connected to eachother by means of an outer tubular member 19, which extends verticallybetween a back center portion of the bottom tray 17 and a back centerportion of the top tray 18. A pair of wheel retainers 20 are integralwith the bottom tray 17 and are located at opposite back corners of thetray 17. A pair of wheel housings 23 are adjacent to the pair of wheelretainers 20, and each housing 23 holds a wheel axle, and it associatedwheel, in axial alignment with the other wheel axle, and its associatedwheel. Although not shown in the figure, each wheel housing 23 containsa pair of removable clips which permit a user to easily remove andreplace a wheel assembly.

As can be further seen in the figure, the outer tubular member 19, whichis part of the luggage frame 16, is also part of the telescoping handlearm assembly 10. A first inner tubular member 21 is slideably positionedwithin the outer tubular member 19 and a second inner tubular member 22is similarly slideably positioned within the first inner tubular member21. The first and second tubular members 21 and 22 are both shown in afully extended position. Although not shown in the figure, the outertube member 19, inner tuber member 21 and inner tube member 22 eachcontain internal locking mechanisms that lock the tubes in place whenfully extended or fully retracted. These mechanisms also permit thetubes to be easily released from a locked position by simply pulling upor pushing down on the handle grip 11. The user releases the tubes bypressing down on the release button 5 which activates a lever mechanismwithin the second inner tuber member 21 which in turn retracts a firstpin 24 disposed within a hole through the side of the first inner tubermember 21. Once the first pin 24 is retracted, the user simply pushesdown on the cantilevered handle grip 11 to retract the telescopinghandle arm assembly 10. In its fully retracted position, a second pin(not shown), engages the outer tubular member 19 in order to hold thetelescoping handle arm assembly 10 in a locked position. In thisposition, the handle grip 11 is secured within the handle grip cradle 8,by means of a small indent disposed within the grip front end 15 whichmates with a retractable flange member disposed within the cradle 8. Inorder to release the handle grip 11 and telescoping handle arm assembly10, the user pushes down on the release button 5, which retracts thesecond pin and the handle grip 11 rotates away from the retractableflange member.

Further, the present invention has been disclosed as having one fixedouter tubular member and two telescoping inner tubular members, it willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art that depending upon thesize of the luggage case, the invention includes a single, fixed tubularmember without any corresponding telescoping members; and includes afixed outer tubular member with only one telescoping member or more thantwo such members.

FIG. 4 presents a “see through” perspective drawing of the luggage case1 as shown in FIG. 2 with the luggage compartment 6 shown in dashedlines in order to reveal the luggage frame 16 as viewed from the back ofthe case 1.

A profile view of the telescoping handle arm assembly 10 andcantilevered handle grip 11, removed from the luggage case 1, isillustrated in FIG. 5. This figure shows in more detail the exacttelescoping relationship of the outer tubular member 19, first innertubular member 21 and second inner tubular member 22, each in itsextended position.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b illustrate the functional aspect of the cantileveredhandle grip 11 which more uniformly distributes the weight of theluggage case 1 across the user's hand when the case 1 is being pulled.FIG. 6 a depicts the handle grip in its fully rotated position which iscaused by the user applying an upward force against the handle grip 11,normally while pulling the luggage case 1. FIG. 6 b shows the handlegrip 11 in its relaxed and unbiased position, which is its state whenthe user is not applying any upward force against the bottom portion ofthe handle grip 11. A resilient element, such as a spring, is integralwith the hinge assembly 14 such that when the user rotates the handlegrip 11 upwards, a counter rotational force is created which pushes thehandle grip downward and into the user's hand. In this manner, while theluggage case 1 is being pulled, the weight of the luggage case 1 is moreevenly distributed across the user's hand, rather than concentrated atonly the front part of the hand.

The hinge assembly 14 contains an integral upward stop flange 25disposed on an outside portion of the hinge assembly 14 and an integraldownward stop flange 26, disposed on an inside portion of the hingeassembly 14. As shown in FIG. 6 a, the upward rotation of the handlegrip 11, caused by a user pulling up on the grip 11, is limited to anorientation which is approximately perpendicular to the telescopinghandle arm assembly 10 when the upward stop flange 25 abuts against thetelescoping handle arm assembly's top end 13. And, as shown in FIG. 6 b,the downward rotation of the handle grip 11, caused by the spring, islimited to an orientation in which the grip 11 is in a position which isapproximately 30° below the grip's perpendicular orientation to thetelescoping handle arm assembly 10, when the downward stop flange 26abuts against the telescoping handle arm assembly's top end 13.Experiments have shown that this range of rotational motion isergonomically beneficial in that the motion allows the user's hand andwrist to remain comfortably aligned with the forearm, while pulling theluggage with the arm swinging back and forth at the user's side.

While the present invention has been described with reference to a fewembodiments, the description is illustrative of the invention and is notto be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications mayoccur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A wheeled luggage apparatus, comprising: a) a wheeled luggage case; b) a handle assembly attached to the wheeled luggage case; c) a cantilevered handle grip rotatably attached to the handle assembly such that the plane of rotation of the grip is approximately parallel to the rolling direction of the wheeled luggage case and extending across an upright end of the wheeled luggage case, the cantilevered handle grip further having a hinge assembly which rotatably attaches the grip to the handle assembly, the hinge assembly having an upward stop flange and a downward stop flange which limit the rotation of the cantilevered hand grip around a hinge to approximately 30°.
 2. The wheeled luggage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly further having a resilient element which supplies a force to the cantilevered handle grip and to the handle assembly, urging the grip to rotate downwardly around the hinge.
 3. The wheeled luggage apparatus of claim 2 in which the resilient element is a spring.
 4. The wheeled luggage apparatus of claim 1 in which the upward stop flange is positioned on an outside portion of the hinge such that the upward stop flange limits the upward rotation of the cantilevered handle grip to a position in which the grip is approximately perpendicular to the handle assembly.
 5. A wheeled luggage apparatus, comprising: a) a wheeled luggage case; b) a telescoping handle arm assembly attached to the wheeled luggage case; and c) a cantilevered handle grip rotatably attached to the telescoping handle arm assembly such that the plane of rotation the grip is approximately parallel to the rolling direction of the wheeled luggage case and extending across an upright end of the wheeled luggage case, the cantilevered handle grip further having a hinge assembly which rotatably attaches the grip to the telescoping handle arm assembly, the hinge assembly having an upward stop flange and a downward stop flange which limit the rotation of the cantilevered handle grip around a hinge to approximately 30°.
 6. The wheeled luggage apparatus of claim 5, wherein the hinge assembly further having a resilient element which supplies a force to the cantilevered handle grip and to the telescoping handle arm assembly, urging the grip to rotate downwardly around the hinge.
 7. The wheeled luggage apparatus of claim 6 in which the resilient element is a spring.
 8. The wheeled luggage apparatus of claim 5 in which the upward stop flange is positioned on an outside portion of the hinge such that the upward stop flange limits the upward rotation of the cantilevered handle grip to a position which is approximately perpendicular to the telescoping handle arm assembly.
 9. The wheeled luggage apparatus of claim 5 in which a top surface of the grip is flush with an upright end of the wheeled luggage case, when the telescoping handle arm assembly is in a fully retracted position.
 10. The wheeled luggage apparatus of claim 5 further having a grip cradle disposed within an upright end of the case, the cantilevered handle grip being adapted to be releasably locked within the cradle when the telescoping handle arm assembly is in a fully retracted position, allowing the grip to be used to carry the wheeled luggage apparatus.
 11. The wheeled luggage apparatus of claim 5 further having a release button disposed within the grip, allowing a user to depress the button to unlock the grip from a grip locking assembly.
 12. The wheeled luggage apparatus of claim 11 in which the button is adjacent to a back end of the cantilevered handle grip.
 13. The wheeled luggage apparatus of claim 11 in which the button is flush with a top surface of the cantilevered handle grip.
 14. A wheeled luggage apparatus, comprising: a) a wheeled luggage case; b) a telescoping handle arm assembly attached to the wheeled luggage case; c) a hinge assembly which rotatably attaches a cantilevered handle grip to a top end of the telescoping handle arm assembly such that the plane of rotation of the grip is approximately parallel to the rolling direction of the wheeled luggage case and the grip extends across an upright end of the wheeled luggage case when the grip is rotated upward, d) a resilient element disposed within the hinge assembly which supplies a force to the cantilevered handle grip and to the telescoping handle arm assembly, urging the grip to rotate downwardly around a hinge; e) an upward stop flange which is disposed on an outside portion of the hinge such that the flange abuts against the top end of the telescoping handle arm assembly and limits the upward rotation of the cantilevered handle grip around the hinge to a position in which the grip is oriented approximately perpendicular to the handle arm assembly; and f) a downward stop flange which is disposed on an inside portion of the hinge such that the flange abuts against the top end of the telescoping handle arm assembly and limits the downward rotation of the cantilevered handle grip to a position which is approximately 30 degree below the grip's perpendicular orientation to the handle arm assembly.
 15. The resilient element of claim 14 in which the element is a spring.
 16. The cantilevered handle grip of claim 14 in which a top surface of the grip is flush with an upright end of the wheeled luggage case, when the telescoping handle arm assembly is in a fully retracted position.
 17. The wheeled luggage case of claim 14 further having a grip cradle disposed within an upright end of the case, the cantilevered handle grip being adapted to be releasably locked within the cradle when the telescoping handle arm assembly is in a fully retracted position, allowing the grip to be used to carry the wheeled luggage apparatus.
 18. The cantilevered handle grip of claim 14 further having a release button disposed within the grip, allowing a user to depress the button to unlock the grip from a grip locking assembly.
 19. The release button of claim 18 in which the button is adjacent to a back end of the cantilevered handle grip.
 20. The release button of claim 18 in which the button is flush with a top surface of the cantilevered handle grip. 